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Sodium alginate (SA), as the eco-friendly and human-safe biomass material not only can achieve effective dispersion of graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs), but also improve the interaction between GnPs and cellulose macromolecules. Based on this, a flexible and wearable GnPs/cellulose strain sensor with a special 2 × 2 double rib knitted fabric structure (KFGS) was prepared by a simple dip-coating method that could be used on a large scale. The KFGS exhibited dual sensing performance with high sensitivity (25.32 kPa−1 at 3 kPa pressure, gauge factor 32.62 at 25% tensile strain), stretchability (ε > 25%) and dynamic stability (signal drift < 6% after 300 cycles). Its potential application prospects were also predicted by the monitoring of human movement and physical parameters through a wireless Bluetooth connection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Conductive fabrics have achieved significant attention in the field of wearable electronics. Herein, a novel and simple method was developed to fabricate nickel-coated cotton fabrics. Triazine groups were bonded onto the cotton fabrics through treating by cyanuric chloride solution to absorb silver ions and to form a catalytical layer on the fabrics, which could successfully initiate the subsequent electroless deposition (ELD) of nickel (Ni). The cyanuric chloride concentration and ELD time were optimized. Compared to conventional methods, superior conductivity as well as good adhesion was obtained because of the stable affinity of triazine groups to metals. The surface conductivity of the as-prepared Ni-coated fabrics was as high as 21.82 S cm−1. The strain sensing properties of the Ni-coated fabrics were studied, demonstrating high sensitivity and rapid response. These attractive properties of the Ni-coated cotton fabrics suggest that the proposed method is expected to be used in the fabrication of wearable strain sensors.Graphical Abstract: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]